A map of Eircom’s Fibre Broadband Network

Roll-out of Fibre broadband to 10 other Galway locations on phased basis during lifetime for €400m plan

High speed fibre-based broadband will be available to households and businesses served by the Shantalla and Mervue exchanges from this Monday, 20^th May. The next generation broadband is part of Eircom’s ‘Network for a Nation’ plan – a €400m investment between now and June 2015.

Eircom officials, including Pat Galvin, Eircom’s Director of Regulatory and Public Affairs, met with Galway West Deputy Seán Kyne in Leinster House on Wednesday evening and explained that the high speed broadband will provide initial speeds of 70Mbps (megabytes per second) in the City, increasing to 100Mbps within 12 months. Investment will also bring the high speed broadband to locations outside the City including Moycullen, Oughterard, Barna, Claregalway, Athenry, Loughrea and Tuam among others.

Commented Deputy Kyne: “I’m delighted to see this investment which is urgently required so that we don’t fall behind in terms of providing fibre-powered broadband services. The issue of broadband access is one I’ve raised time and again with Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte. This year alone I’ve tabled over 10 parliamentary questions and sought Dáil speaking time such is my belief in the importance of high speed broadband as a catalyst for jobs and investment in rural and urban areas alike.”

The vital Eircom investment is a precursor to the Government-supported delivery of high speed broadband to all areas. Under the ‘Delivering a Connected Society’ plan, the Government will bring a minimum of 30Mbps broadband to every home and business in the State ‘no matter how rural or remote’.

“The last National Broadband Scheme,” continued Deputy Kyne, “was moderately successful but inexplicably excluded large areas such as the hinterland of Moycullen and Oughterard from the N59 to the shores of Lough Corrib which encompasses Tullykyne, Rosscahill and Carrowmoreknock, and also rural areas to the east of the City.

“Minister Rabbitte has assured me that a national mapping exercise is imminent and will ‘identify precisely the areas of the country that the private sector will invest in and those rural parts that will require State intervention to ensure that our National Broadband Plan and Digital Agenda for Europe targets are met.’

“Eircom is also open to investigating the opportunity which the construction of the N59 Galway – Clifden Greenway could provide in bringing the fibre broadband further into Connemara.

“It’s vital that we obtain an accurate and comprehensive map of the gaps in broadband provision as this will underpin the State investment. I’d encourage citizens who experience problems with broadband provision to inform their public representatives who can relay this to the officials at the Department of Communications currently working with the private sector to create a complete picture of broadband access,” concluded Deputy Kyne.

Parliamentary Questions tabled I’ve tabled on the issue of broadband are available at http://seankyne.ie/?s=Broadband

‘Delivering a Connected Society – A National Broadband Plan for Ireland’ is available at http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Communications/Communications+Development/Next+Generation+Broadband/

Below is the transcript of the original question and reply and also the supplementary question which I put to the Minister.

Minister Leo Varadkar: “I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 43, 51, 86, 91 and 93 together.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in respect of the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In the current economic circumstances, the capital allocations to the NRA have been reduced significantly and this has meant that a range of worthwhile improvement projects have been deferred. The primary focus for direct Exchequer spending is the maintenance of the existing network, and this will continue to be the case for some years.

The Government’s stimulus package of July 2012 envisages €1.4 billion in private investment for infrastructure projects, including roads, as a way of stimulating economic growth and creating employment. These projects must be off-balance sheet and, therefore, must be done by way of public private partnership, PPP. This requires that the projects must be of a particular scale. The M17-M18 PPP scheme is one of the priority projects identified for inclusion in the first phase of the programme. The NRA is responsible for implementation of the project, and following the contract signing for the N11 Newlands Cross PPP, the NRA is in discussion with the preferred bidder for the M17-M18 project with a view to progressing it. The other two projects which are highlighted within the stimulus programme are the M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy project and the N25 New Ross bypass project.

When the stimulus programme was announced, it was indicated that as the first phase projects progressed and as funding permitted, a second phase would be considered. In this regard, particular prominence was attached to the Galway city outer bypass project. As the Deputies will be aware, this has been the subject of legal challenge and the European Court has only recently delivered its judgement in the case. The matter has been referred back to the Irish Supreme Court. The NRA and the local authority are currently examining the implications of the European Court’s decision and the most appropriate response.

To ensure there might be projects suitable for inclusion in future phases of the PPP programme in the medium term, the NRA has decided to take a number of projects through the planning process to develop a pipeline of potential future projects. In this regard, I understand the NRA intends to submit to the N5 Westport to Turlough project and the N5 Colloney to Castlebaldwin project to An Bord Pleanála later in the year. The Macroom bypass project was approved by An Bord Pleanála in April 2011. However, a judicial review against the approval of the scheme was heard and rejected by the High Court. I understand the applicant has sought leave to appeal against the High Court’s decision. A determination on whether leave to appeal will be granted is due to be made in July. Depending on the outcome of the latter, this is a project which the NRA may give consideration to including in a future round of PPP projects.”

Deputy Seán Kyne: I thank the Minister for his response. I am a long-time supporter of the Galway city outer bypass, which has been tied up in court for a number of years. Last month, the European Court of Justice ruled on it and the matter has reverted to the Supreme Court. Will the Minister reiterate his and the Government’s support for the bypass? Will he comment on the imperative reasons of overriding public interest, IROPI, process and whether it can or should be pursued prior to a decision by the Supreme Court?

Deputy Leo Varadkar: I am happy to reiterate the Government’s commitment to the Galway city outer bypass, which has a benefit-to-cost ratio, BCR, of 6:1. Of all of the projects on the books, this one has the highest BCR. It makes a great deal of sense. Anyone who knows Galway knows that this project needs to be progressed once we overcome the planning permission issues. The former Minister, Mr. Noel Dempsey, took a decision to suspend planning works on the project. I intend to lift that ban so that the NRA can develop a new planning permission should it need to do so.

Minister Noonan was replying to a parliamentary question tabled by Deputy Kyne on foot of representations made to the Galway West deputy by retailers. The question was answered, coincidentally, the day prior to the discovery of €0.95 million worth of illegal counterfeit cigarettes in Athenry.

Commented Deputy Kyne: “At present the Government is engages in crucial negotiations to secure €300 million worth of savings from the public sector. However, the revelation that the State is losing somewhere between €0.5 Billion and €1 Billion as a result of smuggling, illegal trade and counterfeiting puts the figure in context.

“While there is a disagreement among the tobacco industry and Revenue over the exact figures – due mainly because of the difficulty in estimating the exact costs of the activities of the Shadow economy – it’s clear that the State is losing hundreds of millions of euro each year which in turn is detrimental to the efforts of restoring the nation’s financial position.

“At the local level the negative effects of the Shadow economy activities including fuel laundering and tobacco smuggling are felt daily by newsagents and petrol stations across Galway and the West. Not only are jobs in legitimate, tax-paying local businesses being put at risk so too is the health and safety of consumers who unwisely avail of counterfeit goods.

“I am encouraged by the Minister’s reply which sets out the comprehensive strategy being pursued by the Revenue Commissioners and supported by An Garda. The measures, including new licensing regimes, new regulations on stock movement and monthly collection of electronic data, cross-border co-operation among others, are yielding positive results. However, it is clear that we need to redouble our efforts if we are to stop the substantial loss of revenue to the State and the knock-on effects this has on all areas of State-spending,” concluded Deputy Kyne.

The Parliamentary Question from Finance Minister, Michael Noonan, outlining the measures in place:

DÁIL QUESTION NO.  79

To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the recent Grant Thronton report on tobacco and the shadow economy which shows that up to €800 million is being lost per annum in State revenue; if he will consider reviewing and reforming the existing anti-smuggling and anti-counterfeit measures to prevent such a significant loss to the State..

- Seán Kyne.

*    For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 8th May, 2013.

Ref No: 21869/13

REPLY

Minister for Finance ( Mr Noonan) :          I am aware of the report on “Illicit Trade in Ireland”, prepared for Retail Ireland by Grant Thornton, that was published last week, focusing in particular on the fuel, tobacco, digital piracy and pharmaceuticals sectors.

I understand that the report looks at the costs associated with illicit trade in these sectors. Estimating the extent of any illicit activity is, of course inherently problematic and must be approached with caution. It follows that unless a credible methodology is specified for estimates of illicit trade and the associated tax loss, they must be regarded as speculative. Reflecting these difficulties, the report acknowledges that there are a wide variety of estimates, ranging between €418 million and €937 million, for the loss of revenue to the Exchequer from illicit activity in the sectors concerned.

All interested parties are agreed, nevertheless, that illicit trade in the sectors addressed by the report, and shadow economy activities in general, pose a threat to legitimate and compliant businesses, as well as depriving the Government of tax revenues. Tackling the illegal activities in those sectors, and broader black economy activities, is therefore a key priority.

I am informed that the report estimates the tax losses in the tobacco sector due to illicit trade in 2012 at €569m.  This appears to be a tobacco industry figure, with which the Revenue Commissioners and other commentators would not agree.  A survey is carried out annually on behalf of the Revenue Commissioners and the National Tobacco Control office of the Health Services Executive on the extent of consumption of illicit cigarettes in the State.  This survey is carried out annually across a representative group of the public in a consistent, comprehensive, reliable and robust manner and the survey results distinguish the non-Irish duty paid product between product legally purchased abroad and product that is illegal.  The survey for 2012 indicates that 13 per cent of cigarettes consumed were illegal; this corresponds to an Exchequer loss, in excise duty and VAT, of €240m.  I am assured that the annual survey of the Revenue Commissioners is a good indicator of the extent of the penetration of the Irish market by the illegal trade.

Extensive enforcement action by the Revenue Commissioners against the smuggling and sale of illicit cigarettes and other tobacco products resulted, during 2012, in the seizure of 95.6 million cigarettes and 5,276 kilograms of tobacco. There were 22 convictions on indictment and 110 summary convictions during the year for offences related to the smuggling or sale of illicit cigarettes and tobacco.

I am advised that the report says, in relation to illicit activity in the fuel sector, that little progress has been made to tackle this important issue. This is not true.  Recognising the threat that this illegal activity poses to the exchequer and to legitimate business, the Revenue Commissioners adopted a comprehensive strategy to tackle the problem. This strategy encompasses the following elements:

• A strengthening of the licensing regime for auto fuel traders with effect from September 2011.
• A new licensing regime for marked fuel traders with effect from October 2012.
• The introduction by Regulation of new requirements in relation to fuel traders’ records of stock movements and fuel deliveries to ensure data are available to assist in supply chain analysis.
• The introduction of new supply chain controls from January 2013 that require all licensed fuel traders to make monthly electronic returns to     Revenue of their fuel transactions.  The first returns were received by Revenue in February.  I understand that the Revenue Commissioners have instituted a process of rigorous analysis of these returns.  This will support the development of a comprehensive overview of supply patterns and the identification of suspicious or anomalous transactions, and facilitate robust follow-up enforcement action where necessary.
• An intensified targeting, in co-operation with other law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border, of fuel laundering.
  • An intensified targeting, in co-operation with other law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border, of the illicit sale of laundered products.   This involved a concentration on building intelligence, gaining an understanding of the supply chain, applying analytics to available data, embarking on a strategy of closing down stations that were in breach of legislation and/or regulations and working collaboratively .with other law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border.  One of the objectives is to cause maximum disruption to laundering plants and networks and to prevent the trading by stations that are operating outside the law.
  • The Revenue Commissioners held discussions with HM Revenue & Customs in the UK on regulatory measures to tackle the laundering of fuel and the two administrations signed a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2012 on a joint approach to finding a more effective marker for use in both jurisdictions.  An Invitation to Make Submissions was published in June 2012. The twelve submissions received by the deadline in November 2012, are currently being evaluated.

Revenue’s enforcement strategy in the fuel sector has yielded significant results. In the period 2011 to 2012, over 2 million litres of fuel was seized, 20 fuel laundries were detected and product and ancillary equipment seized, and 89 filling stations which were found to be unlicensed, or in breach of licensing conditions, were closed.

In the case of counterfeit goods, the role of the Revenue Commissioners is to prevent the entry of such goods into the State from outside the EU, and this has resulted in significant seizures of counterfeit goods in recent years. In 2012, there were 5,580 seizures involving 142,100 items, with an estimated value of €5.45m. The range of items seized includes clothing, personal effects, electronic goods, cosmetics and medicines.

Enforcement action in relation to the national sale and distribution of such goods is a matter for An Garda Síochána.  I understand that there is close cooperation between the Revenue Commissioners and An Garda Síochána in tackling the counterfeit trade, and that there is also on-going international cooperation on the matter.

I am advised also that the Revenue Commissioners are conscious that the persons responsible for illegal activities in the sectors with which the report is primarily concerned are constantly looking for new ways to circumvent legal requirements and avoid detection and that Revenue’s approach must, therefore, be flexible and adaptable. Accordingly, the Revenue Commissioners continuously review their enforcement methodologies.  Revenue also advise me that the support of legitimate business in contributing to Revenue’s information and intelligence is important.

As I stated, I understand that the Revenue Commissioners continuously review their methodologies and their legislative requirements and where necessary I will of course, give careful consideration to any proposals that might be put to me in that regard.

- Seán Kyne.

REPLY 

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform ( Mr Howlin) :

As the Deputy is aware, I announced in April 2012 that there will be a competition for the next National Lottery licence.  It is envisaged that the competition will commence shortly.

I have advised retailer representative bodies that it is my intention to safeguard the existing rates of commission paid to retailers under the terms of the next licence.  Section 27(2)(c) of the National Lottery Bill 2012 provides that the provisions of the licence governing rates of commission payable to retailers may not be amended.

I acknowledge the concerns of retailers and the importance to them of income from National Lottery sales, particularly in the current economic climate.  I am also aware of the central role which retailers have played in the great success of the National Lottery since its inception.  It is envisaged that retailers will continue to be central to the operation of the National Lottery over the 20 year term of the next licence.  I am confident that there will be strong growth in National Lottery sales under the next licence with an alignment of interests between the next licence holder, retailers and the State, reaping benefits for all concerned.

Freagra

Minister Ruairí Quinn

The Deputy will be aware of this Government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that all children with special educational needs, including children with Down syndrome, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs. The policy of my Department is to secure the maximum possible level of inclusion of students with special educational needs in mainstream primary and post-primary schools, or where a special school or special class placement may be required to ensure such placements are provided for.

Pupils with Down syndrome attending mainstream schools may receive additional teaching support in primary schools, either under the terms of the General Allocation Model (GAM) of teaching supports, if the pupil’s educational psychological assessment places the pupil in the mild general learning
disability/high incidence disability category, or through an allocation of individual additional resource teaching hours which are allocated by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), if the child is assessed as being within the low incidence category of special need, as defined by my Department’s Circular Sp Ed 02/05.
Pupils with Down syndrome may be allocated resources under the category of mild general learning disability, or under the categories of moderate general learning difficulty or Assessed Syndrome, in conjunction with another Low Incidence disability. There is not presently a distinct disability category of Down syndrome for resource allocation purposes.

I have asked the National Council for Special Education to provide me with policy advice on the issue of whether Down syndrome should be reclassified as a low incidence disability in all instances, regardless of assessed cognitive ability. This advice will be included in the NCSE’s comprehensive policy advice on how the education system can best support children with special educational needs which is currently in preparation and which is expected in the coming weeks.

REPLY

I am aware of the report on “Illicit Trade in Ireland”, prepared for Retail Ireland by Grant Thornton, that was published last week, focusing in particular on the fuel, tobacco, digital piracy and pharmaceuticals sectors.

I understand that the report looks at the costs associated with illicit trade in these sectors. Estimating the extent of any illicit activity is, of course inherently problematic and must be approached with caution. It follows that unless a credible methodology is specified for estimates of illicit trade and the associated tax loss, they must be regarded as speculative. Reflecting these difficulties, the report acknowledges that there are a wide variety of estimates, ranging between €418 million and €937 million, for the loss of revenue to the Exchequer from illicit activity in the sectors concerned.

All interested parties are agreed, nevertheless, that illicit trade in the sectors addressed by the report, and shadow economy activities in general, pose a threat to legitimate and compliant businesses, as well as depriving the Government of tax revenues. Tackling the illegal activities in those sectors, and broader black economy activities, is therefore a key priority.

I am informed that the report estimates the tax losses in the tobacco sector due to illicit trade in 2012 at €569m.  This appears to be a tobacco industry figure, with which the Revenue Commissioners and other commentators would not agree.  A survey is carried out annually on behalf of the Revenue Commissioners and the National Tobacco Control office of the Health Services Executive on the extent of consumption of illicit cigarettes in the State.  This survey is carried out annually across a representative group of the public in a consistent, comprehensive, reliable and robust manner and the survey results distinguish the non-Irish duty paid product between product legally purchased abroad and product that is illegal.  The survey for 2012 indicates that 13 per cent of cigarettes consumed were illegal; this corresponds to an Exchequer loss, in excise duty and VAT, of €240m.  I am assured that the annual survey of the Revenue Commissioners is a good indicator of the extent of the penetration of the Irish market by the illegal trade.

Extensive enforcement action by the Revenue Commissioners against the smuggling and sale of illicit cigarettes and other tobacco products resulted, during 2012, in the seizure of 95.6 million cigarettes and 5,276 kilograms of tobacco. There were 22 convictions on indictment and 110 summary convictions during the year for offences related to the smuggling or sale of illicit cigarettes and tobacco.

I am advised that the report says, in relation to illicit activity in the fuel sector, that little progress has been made to tackle this important issue. This is not true.  Recognising the threat that this illegal activity poses to the exchequer and to legitimate business, the Revenue Commissioners adopted a comprehensive strategy to tackle the problem. This strategy encompasses the following elements:

•  A strengthening of the licensing regime for auto fuel traders with effect from September 2011.
• A new licensing regime for marked fuel traders with effect from October 2012.

·     The introduction by Regulation of new requirements in relation to fuel traders’ records of stock movements and fuel deliveries to ensure data are available to assist in supply chain analysis.

·     The introduction of new supply chain controls from January 2013 that require all licensed fuel traders to make monthly electronic returns to            Revenue of their fuel transactions.  The first returns were received by Revenue in February.  I understand that the Revenue Commissioners have instituted a process of rigorous analysis of these returns.  This will support the development of a comprehensive overview of supply       patterns and the identification of suspicious or anomalous transactions, and facilitate robust follow-up enforcement action where necessary.

·     An intensified targeting, in co-operation with other law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border, of fuel laundering.

·     An intensified targeting, in co-operation with other law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border, of the illicit sale of laundered products.

This involved a concentration on building intelligence, gaining an understanding of the supply chain, applying analytics to available data, embarking on a strategy of closing down stations that were in breach of legislation and/or regulations and working collaboratively .with other law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border.  One of the objectives is to cause maximum disruption to laundering plants and networks and to prevent the trading by stations that are operating outside the law.

·           The Revenue Commissioners held discussions with HM Revenue & Customs in the UK on regulatory measures to tackle the laundering              of fuel and the two administrations signed a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2012 on a joint approach to finding a more effective                         marker for use in both jurisdictions.  An Invitation to Make Submissions was published in June 2012. The twelve submissions received by the deadline in November 2012, are currently being evaluated.

Revenue’s enforcement strategy in the fuel sector has yielded significant results. In the period 2011 to 2012, over 2 million litres of fuel was seized, 20 fuel laundries were detected and product and ancillary equipment seized, and 89 filling stations which were found to be unlicensed, or in breach of licensing conditions, were closed.

In the case of counterfeit goods, the role of the Revenue Commissioners is to prevent the entry of such goods into the State from outside the EU, and this has resulted in significant seizures of counterfeit goods in recent years. In 2012, there were 5,580 seizures involving 142,100 items, with an estimated value of €5.45m. The range of items seized includes clothing, personal effects, electronic goods, cosmetics and medicines.

Enforcement action in relation to the national sale and distribution of such goods is a matter for An Garda Síochána.  I understand that there is close cooperation between the Revenue Commissioners and An Garda Síochána in tackling the counterfeit trade, and that there is also ongoing international cooperation on the matter.

I am advised also that the Revenue Commissioners are conscious that the persons responsible for illegal activities in the sectors with which the report is primarily concerned are constantly looking for new ways to circumvent legal requirements and avoid detection and that Revenue’s approach must, therefore, be flexible and adaptable. Accordingly, the Revenue Commissioners continuously review their enforcement methodologies.  Revenue also advise me that the support of legitimate business in contributing to Revenue’s information and intelligence is important.

As I stated, I understand that the Revenue Commissioners continuously review their methodologies and their legislative requirements and where necessary I will of course, give careful consideration to any proposals that might be put to me in that regard.

- Seán Kyne.

REPLY

While my Department is responsible for general legislation in regard to traffic matters, it does not have a direct role in relation to local traffic management, including traffic calming, which is a matter for the relevant local authorities.  Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 empowers such authorities, in the interest of the safety and convenience of road users, to provide such traffic calming measures as they consider desirable in respect of public roads in their charge.

To support the provision of such traffic calming measures, a non – statutory Traffic Management Guidelines Manual was published in 2003 jointly by the then Department of Transport, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Dublin Transportation Office and distributed to each road authority setting out guidance on best practice.  Guidance is given in Chapter 6 on traffic calming, including the types of roads on which particular types of traffic calming measures are appropriate.  Section 13 of that Chapter deals with the specific details of speed ramps and other such measures.  The Guidelines can be accessed from the National Transport Authority website (www.nationaltransport.ie).

Seán Kyne T.D.

REPLY.

The problem of the misuse of prescription drugs has been recognised at national, European and international levels.  Through the framework of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, the Department of Health is working in collaboration with the relevant statutory agencies to monitor the availability of controlled drugs, including prescription medicines, through illicit channels.

Under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations, it is prohibited for a person to supply a prescription medicine except in accordance with a prescription, and the supply must be made from a registered pharmacy by or under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist.  A person who contravenes these Regulations is guilty of an offence.

The Revenue Commissioner’s Customs Service and the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) have shared competency in relation to the prevention and detection at importation of illicit medicines. In addition the IMB and the Customs Service have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under which both organisations work closely to detain and prohibit prescription medicines purchased online from being imported.

The IMB and the Customs Service deploy operational resources in a targeted and risk-based manner and as a result of specific intelligence. These approaches are reviewed and adjusted based on analysis and evaluation of national and international seizure trends, traffic frequency, routes and other risk indicators.

Revenue’s Customs Service also has Memoranda of Understanding with a number of express mail courier service providers and work very closely with these companies, the IMB and the Gardaí to combat the importation of illicit medicines.

In September 2012 the IMB, Revenue Customs Services and An Garda Síochána took part in an international week long operation ‘Pangea V’ which led to the detention of capsules and tablets with an estimated value in excess of €375,000.

The IMB has published an online leaflet warning of the dangers from purchasing medicines online.

The enforcement of the law relating to the sale of drugs, including prescription drugs, continues to be a priority in the Government’s commitment to tackling the issue of drug misuse in this jurisdiction.

My Department is reviewing the Misuse of Drugs Regulations with a view to  introducing additional controls on certain prescription drugs being traded illicitly, for example benzodiazepine medicines. These additional controls include introducing import and export controls as well as an offence of possession, thereby assisting the law enforcement roles of Customs and of the Garda Siochána.

- Seán Kyne.

REPLY

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine: (Simon Coveney)

The identification and registration of equidae is governed by EU Council Directives 90/426/EEC and 90/427/EEC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 504/2008 of 6 June 2008. The EU legislation has been transposed into national legislation via S.I. No. 357 of 2011 – European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2011 (as amended).  Regulation 504/2008, which came into effect on 1 July 2009, provides that if an equine animal has not been identified within six months of the date of its birth, or by the 31^st of December in the year of its birth, whichever date occurs later, it cannot be admitted to the food chain.  It also provides that all equine animals registered after that date must be identified with a passport and a microchip.

With regard to the issuing of passports, Regulation 504/2008 provides that, in the case of equidae which qualify for registration with a breed society, the passport must be issued by the relevant breed society. At present, 9 Passport Issuing organisations are approved to issue passports in Ireland.

I made an announcement in March that I would like to see the establishment of a single Passport Issuing Organisation which would necessitate an amendment to EU legislation.  Subsequently, the EU Commission published an Action Plan for dealing with the fall-out from the horsemeat issue, indicating  that it intended to submit a proposal to the Agriculture Council of Ministers and the European Parliament to amend existing legislation to provide that competent authorities take over responsibility for issuing passports. A formal Commission proposal is expected in the second half of 2013. My Department is awaiting these proposals. I will move to the final stage in the establishment of a single Passport Issuing Agency once EU legislation provides me with the overarching legal base to put this into effect. In the meantime, my Department is engaged in discussions with the PIOs with a view to enhancing the controls on passports at all stages of the process, including veterinary certification, quality of the paper used, security features etc.

In line with a commitment I gave earlier in the year, my Department has taken significant steps to establish a central equine database on the Animal Identification and Movement [AIM] system.  Data for over 70% of equine animals registered with the Passport Issuing Organisations since 1 January 1980 were downloaded onto the central database in recent days. The central database will include information from records obtained at slaughter plants, knackeries, sales and live exports. The information on the central equine database will be used by my Department veterinary staff to supplement the current checks at slaughterhouses, in particular to check that any horses presented for slaughter have been correctly identified and are eligible for slaughter for the human food chain.

In conclusion, I am satisfied that I have acted swiftly, as I promised to do, to deal with the issues arising from the equine DNA issue.

- Seán Kyne.

REPLY 

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine: (Simon Coveney)

Since the first confirmed finding of Chalara Ash Dieback disease in October 2012 at a forest site planted in 2009 with saplings from a consignment of imported plants, my Department has been carrying out a nationwide survey of ash forests which are known to have been planted in recent years with imported saplings.  This survey since been extended to cover ash plantations established since 1992 as well as trees planted under AEOS and REPS.

In order to mitigate the risk of further infected ash stock entering the country and causing further outbreaks of the disease, the Department introduced legislation on 26^th October 2012 to prohibit the importation of plant material from areas known to be infected with the disease.  On 6^th November 2012, further legislation was introduced to limit the movement of ash wood into the country.

Similar legislation has been introduced in Northern Ireland in order to implement an all-island approach to tackling the disease.

My Department is liaising closely with their counterparts in Northern Ireland and Great Britain to update the Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) for Chalara fraxinea.  This document will address the issue of wood as a possible pathway for the disease and examine the appropriateness of the current legislation. The PRA is currently undergoing external peer review. In addition, the two Departments are working to finalise an all-island Chalara Control Strategy.

To date, 36 forestry plantations have tested positive for the disease at various locations across the country. The disease has also been confirmed at 15 horticultural nurseries, 8 roadside landscaping projects, 3 garden centres, 2 private gardens and 10 farms. All findings to date have been associated with imported plants.

Arrangements have been put in place to remove all ash trees from sites where the disease has been confirmed and from associated sites where trees from the same infected batch has also been planted.  Approximately 535 hectares of ash woodlands have been identified for removal so far.

A grant scheme has been introduced to support forest owners in the removal and destruction of infected, and potentially infected, trees and to replant with alternative species.

In the coming weeks our efforts from an awareness point of view will be focussed on the relevant Divisions within my Department working closely with Teagasc to deliver a series of  Chalara Information Meetings around the country.  The Department will send a text alert out to 90,000 farmers about the events.

These 22 meetings will focus on the background to Ash Dieback, how to recognise the ash tree and ash leaves, how to recognise symptoms of ash dieback and to give farmers information on what steps they should take if they spot the disease as part of their young forestry plantation or AEOS planting.  This is all in an effort to seek out and eradicate the disease.